The interim measure gives Congress until December to fully fund the federal government for fiscal year 2027.
Published September 1, 2026
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an extraordinary spending measure to continue funding the federal government through Dec. 11.
The bill passed the Senate on Aug. 8 and passed by a vote of 370-48 on Tuesday. It is now being asked to be signed by President Donald Trump.
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Prior to Tuesday’s stopgap measure, existing government funding was scheduled to expire on Oct. 1, after the start of the new fiscal year.
Typically, Congress must pass 12 spending bills to fully fund federal programs. These spending bills are divided into categories such as homeland security, energy, housing, and defense.
But Congress has not yet finalized any such legislation for fiscal year 2027, which ends September 30, 2027.
The stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution, would give lawmakers more time to negotiate a year-round spending bill.
The vote also removes the imminent threat of another government shutdown as lawmakers prepare for the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The elections will determine which political parties control both houses of Congress, a factor that could shape future budget negotiations.
Government shutdowns are widely unpopular in the United States. Political analysts speculate that if this happens before the election, incumbents will have less chance of being re-elected.
“This will give Congress time to get through the November election,” Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said during deliberations, acknowledging the difficulties of the voting season.
Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, Democrats have been embroiled in a battle with Republicans, who hold majorities in both houses of Congress.
These conflicts led to three government shutdowns lasting a total of 161 days.
The first occurred in October 2025, when the extension of health care subsidies became the main issue between the two parties. At 43 days, the government shutdown was the longest in U.S. history.
A partial shutdown followed in January, lasting about four days. But a few weeks later, a third shutdown targeted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The third closure comes after the deaths of Alex Preti and Renee Good, who were shot and killed by immigration officials in Minnesota. Democrats sought to withhold funding from the department to pursue reforms to agencies under DHS control, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Critics say such closures are ineffective in advancing policy change.
Many analysts also note that the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to justify unilateral cuts in federal spending and personnel.
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro argued Tuesday’s stopgap bill would give Congress back its constitutional authority over government spending.
“The power of the purse rests with Congress, and it is our exclusive responsibility,” DeLauro said, adding, “The first step in exercising that power is to pass this bill today.”
This interim measure does not address the country’s broader fiscal challenges. The U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion last month, but affordability remains a major concern for voters.
With Congress delaying decisions on spending priorities for another 15 weeks, lawmakers will face a tighter schedule in December to craft and pass a year-round spending bill.
